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06 August 2018Outdoor pools with moving floors

We've written several times about the benefits of moving floors for your pool. Instead of permanently sacrificing space to a new pool, space is made far more versatile. A moving floor will blend so well that you won't even be able to tell that the pool is there. However, it's important to stress that this innovative and effective technology isn't limited to the inside of your home – a moving floor can also be installed on an outdoor pool.

Saving space
The reason many people install a moving floor on an indoor pool is so they can reclaim the space ‘lost’ to the pool when the pool is not in use. When the moving floor is raised fully, it provides a solid, load-bearing surface that owners can treat as they would any other floor in their home. There are examples of owners using the pool room as a cinema, function space, children's playrooms and even for orchestral practice!

The same reasoning applies when installing a moving floor on an outdoor pool. It may be the case that by installing a moving floor, owners can create a terrace that doubles as a dining area and a swimming pool. For many property owners in built-up urban areas like London outdoor space can be at a premium, and the ability to get two uses out of one space is a big bonus.

Most indoor pool owners install a moving floor so that a pool becomes invisible when it’s not in use. However, outdoor pools allow for even more ingenuity if desired. For instance, it's possible to create a moving floor with an extra sliding component that covers the pool with a flower bed. Planted with perennials or hardy winter plants, it's the perfect disguise.

Season changing
Another major reason an outdoor pool benefits from a moving floor is to protect it in the colder months. It's possible, of course, to install a winter debris cover and to maintain the pool throughout winter in the usual fashion. However, a moving floor lets owners completely reclaim the space in the winter when, most likely, they would not be using the pool anyway. When summer comes around, opening the pool is as simple as pushing a button! But do remember, that even with the pool fully covered by a solid moving floor, the water still needs to be cared for so it’s wise to have the pool serviced periodically over the winter months. Come spring, re-opening the pool will be much smoother and faster job.

Child safety around pools
If you decide to install a pool, it's important that your children learn how to swim and be comfortable in the water. For those with a fixed floor pool, it is imperative a child be kept away from the water if they can't swim. Owners with a pool with a moving floor have an added benefit - they can raise the floor of the pool to decrease the depth, creating a much shallower pool and an environment that small children can enjoy. This is also a great option for children when they're still learning to swim.

Installing a swimming pool with a moving floor also means owners can close their pool whenever they're not supervising the pool. This way, a child, or pet for that matter, cannot accidentally fall in. Whether choosing a pool with a fixed or moving floor, children should always be supervised when they are in or around a swimming pool.

At London Swimming Pool Company we specialise in swimming pool design, construction and refurbishment, so if you need advice on a brand new pool, contact us for an initial discussion – there’s no substitute for expert advice.